Around 100 tribals desert Maoist-backed outfit

Koraput, Odisha: In a fresh blow to the Maoist-backed Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangh (CMAS), 101 tribals have deserted the outfit in Narayanpatna area of Odisha's Koraput district, police said today.

The CMAS activists approached the administration on Tuesday expressing the desire to join the mainstream with as many as 300 tribals having abandoned the outfit between 11 January and 8 February.

Dangerous grouping. Reuters

In the latest incident, villagers of Mankidi, Jokopani and Tolo Renga respectively trekked down to Narayanpatna police station, they said.

"They are keen to join the mainstream and avail government benefits," said Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Laxmipur, Y Jagannath Rao.

Several steps would be initiated for development of these villagers and the inhabitants to lead a normal life without fear of Maoists, the SDPO said.

Police sources said with villagers dissociating themselves from the rebel-backed CMAS, the clout of Maoists in the area was waning. Maoists often used CMAS as a shield to carry out offensives in the past.